I get a lot of questions about the best way to fertilize soybeans.  In my opinion, the best way is by foliar feeding.  Soybeans seem to feed better from the top down then from the bottom up.   You can tell if a field has been foliar fed by just driving by it.  They look healthy and consistent and have a great color.

To ask about this, I called and talked to Agro-Liquid’s Research Manager at one of the country’s largest fertilizer research farms. I really like doing this because you get insights into matters that you don't normally get. They’re not salespeople so you get what they really see in the fields.  A big question I get is about applying your soybean fertilizers in the row.  They have found no advantage to this over soybean foliar. By putting it in the row you get very inconsistent results. It seems like it would be better but does not yield as well.   If you do put the soybean fertilizer in the row, don't use over three gallons to be seed safe.  I asked about a split application some in the row and some by foliar.  They have found no advantage to this; in fact it probably doesn't pay. Through all their 20 years of research, they haven't found anything that gets better yields then foliar feeding soybeans.  

-Dan Moffitt

Boron is small but mighty.  One of the micronutrients necessary for plant growth, Boron has been frequently overlooked because of the relatively small quantities needed by the plant.  Important to plant development and especially important to the reproduction process because of its role in pollination and holding blooms, boron deficiency affects the growing points of the plant and reproductive organs.  In crops such as soybeans, boron is also important in nitrogen fixation and nodulation.  Without enough boron in the soils, crops can suffer from severe deficiencies resulting in stunted growth and affecting yields. 

Why is this relevant?  The soil tests we've pulled over the years have been showing a repeating trend of decreasing or deficient levels of boron in the soils from all over our trade area.  How to combat this?  Test for boron deficiencies in your soils and include boron in your soybean foliar program, your corn row starter, and in your alfalfa hay programs.
 
-Brenna Cross